One Blood Type Appears to Carry a Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

From sciencealert.com

People with blood type B may need to be a little more vigilant than their peers about the lifestyle factors associated with diabetes risk.

According to a 2024 umbrella review, people with blood type B – either positive or negative – had a slightly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people with non-B blood types.

How much higher? About 28 percent, on average. That's not huge, but it may be significant enough to tip the scales if other risk factors are involved.

"Numerous systematic reviews with meta-analyses have been published, which explored correlations between ABO and Rhesus blood groups with various health outcomes.

"However, to date, the association between these blood groups and human health outcomes remains controversial," wrote a team led by epidemiologist Fang-Hua Liu of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University.

"The current umbrella review included 51 systematic reviews with meta-analysis articles with 270 associations.

"We re-calculated each association and found only one [instance of] convincing evidence for an association between blood group B and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk compared with the non-B blood group."

Blood type (or blood group) is determined, in part, by the ABO blood group antigens present on red blood cells. Antibodies in our blood plasma detect when a foreign antigen marker is present. (InvictaHOG/Wikimedia Commons, public domain)

Human blood is categorized into eight main groups based on the sugars and proteins, or lack thereof, present on the surface of your red blood cells.

A, B, and AB types are based on the presence of antigens – sugar molecules that can trigger an immune response. O-type blood has no A or B antigens. Meanwhile, Rhesus (Rh) factors are proteins that determine blood compatibility and give your blood its positive or negative designation.

Previous studies have suggested that these subtle differences in our blood cells may be linked to increased vulnerability to certain diseases.

                                                                                                             (Douglas Sacha/Moment/Getty Images)

Liu and colleagues embarked on their study to systematically evaluate links between blood type and disease across a catalogue of around 270 different health outcomes.

A systematic review is a study that reviews published papers on a given topic and analyzes their results collectively. An umbrella review compiles systematic reviews – a sort of giant synthesis that provides a wider overview.

Think of individual studies as trees; a systematic review is like standing outside a copse, while an umbrella review is like flying a drone over a whole forest of copses.

"We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and several regional databases on the date from inception until Feb 16, 2024, to identify systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies evaluating associations between ABO as well as Rh blood groups and diverse health outcomes," the researchers explained.

To sort through the 270 reported links between blood group and disease, the researchers put each one through a series of statistical stress tests designed to weed out weak or unreliable findings.

They examined the strength of the evidence, whether results were consistent across different studies, and whether the datasets were large enough to be trustworthy. They also checked for signs of bias, such as small studies exaggerating effects or an unusually high number of positive results.

Crucially, they asked whether each association would likely hold up if tested again in future research. Most of the associations didn't pass these checks.

In the end, just one link, between blood type B and type 2 diabetes, met the highest standard of evidence.

That suggests that the link is real, albeit relatively small: just 28 percent higher than the current baseline. That's much smaller than the risk associated with diet, weight, or lifestyle.

Just 50 grams of processed meat a day, for example, increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by 37 percent. A sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk by 112 percent. And being overweight is one of the strongest risk factors known.

The researchers also didn't examine what might drive this increased risk. A 2025 study suggests that the gut microbiome may be involved; however, further investigation is needed.

The results do suggest that there's a real, tangible association between blood type and type 2 diabetes – one that people can factor into how they think about their own risk.

More broadly, the study highlights weaknesses in existing research that better-designed reviews can address, and shows that more rigorous work is still needed to understand how blood type relates to disease.

The research was published in BMC Medicine.

https://www.sciencealert.com/one-blood-type-appears-to-carry-a-higher-risk-of-type-2-diabetes 

Opinion: I'm 20 and live with Type 1 diabetes. It requires diligence 24 hours a day

From ctinsider.com

By Kenneth Okeke

As somebody who lives with Type 1 diabetes at age 20, I make choices about my health throughout my daily life.

Most individuals think about breakfast. They don't constantly think about blood sugar levels, counting the carbs of meal and doses of insulin, and how much of the food they digest and the affect it will have. 

For me, these calculations are endless. They occur before I eat, before a workout, and at times in the middle of the night. For us people who live with Type 1 diabetes, preserving this condition isn’t something that occurs from time to time. This is an ongoing responsibility.

                                                                                                   Elena Chernykh/Getty Images

Type 1 diabetes is generally misinterpreted. Many people have it mixed up with Type 2 diabetes, but these two conditions are very distinct. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system places an attack on the healthy cells, which requires dependence on insulin. This chronic illness isn’t caused by diet nor is it from decisions you make in your lifestyle. Once you’re diagnosed, managing it becomes an enduring commitment.

Constantly keeping track of my blood sugar levels, calculating the amount of doses of insulin I inject in my body, and sustaining stability among food and physical activity are essential. Moreover, minor adjustments in routine can have an effect on blood glucose levels whether it’s positive or negative. An exercise, an overwhelming day, and missing even just one meal can cause immediate changes that need to be corrected as soon as possible before things worsen. In the state of Connecticut, states and colleges generally offer support for students with Type 1 diabetes. But not every campus has trained staff, so managing these irregular changes can be a constant trial.

While other students focus on academics, or spots and social activities, individuals with Type 1 diabetes need to be vigilant of what is occurring in their bodies. Technology such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps have enhanced the management of diabetes, but they don’t eliminate the need for constant attention. Even in Connecticut, where access to medical equipment is typically efficient, the cost and intricacy of these devices can be challenging for some young adults to manage independently.

There’s also a psychological aspect to preserving a chronic condition that goes over people’s heads. Living with Type 1 diabetes also means being one step ahead, preparing for possible conflicts that can occur. It requires serious discipline and knowledge. 

A stronger public awareness can make a huge difference. When people know what Type 1 diabetes actually is, it’s beneficial for lowering the misperceptions and strengthens support for people who live with it. When it comes to Connecticut communities, empathy and guidance differ greatly. As some schools and local programs offer assets, many families still function within a system that doesn’t regularly acknowledge the full essentials for preserving Type 1 diabetes every day. Institutions, companies and communities all profit from a broader understanding of chronic health conditions and the realities people go through while managing this disease.

In Connecticut and nationwide, thousands of people have to live with Type 1 diabetes. Their experiences usually don’t get acknowledged because preserving the condition becomes part of a schedule that occurs silently in their daily life. Behind the scenes of performing these actions is persistence and constant monitoring of blood sugar levels.

Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes has taught me perseverance and consistency. It has shown me how significant it is for people to have knowledge of conditions they have not experienced firsthand. Broader awareness doesn’t only notify the public, it creates a more nurturing environment for individuals who live with these barriers every day.

Many people perceive health as something they only think about when complications occur within the human body. I believe it’s important that we evaluate Type 1 diabetes in our everyday life as a way for Connecticut to come together as a community. 

Kenneth Okeke was born and raised in East Hartford. He is a junior at Trinity College in Hartford majoring in Public Policy & Law.  

https://www.ctinsider.com/opinion/article/connecticut-diabetes-health-insulin-22154421.php 

Obesity and diabetes: Early morning exercise may help lower risk

From medicalnewstoday.com

• Previous studies show that having poor cardiometabolic health can potentially increase a person’s risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
• Past research has also demonstrated that making healthy lifestyle choices, such as being physically active, may help lower a person’s risk for cardiometabolic disease.
• A new study found that while physical activity may help lower a person’s cardiometabolic risk, the time of day they exercise may also play an important role.

Previous studies show that having poor cardiometabolic health can potentially increase a person’s risk for heart disease.

Known as cardiometabolic disease, this condition includes several health issues that are known to raise a person’s risk for cardiovascular disease, including type 2 diabetes, obesityTrusted Source, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Past research demonstrates that making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a nutritious diet, not smoking, getting enough sleep, and being physically active may help lower a person’s risk for cardiometabolic disease.

“Cardiometabolic diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide,” Prashant Rao, MBBS, MRCP(UK), FACC, sports cardiologist and physician-scientist in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School, told Medical News Today.

“Even small improvements in risk at a population level can translate into substantial reductions in disease burden. Identifying modifiable behaviours, especially ones that are simple and scalable, remains a major public health priority,” he said.

Rao is the senior author of a new study to be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26) that found that while physical activity may help lower a person’s cardiometabolic risk, what time of day they exercise may also play an important role.

The results of the study are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

How exercise time of day impacts cardiometabolic health

For this study, researchers analysed health data from almost 14,500 participants of the All of Us study. Data included heart rate data from participants’ Fitbits, and exercise was assessed every 15 minutes throughout the day.

Scientists then looked for links between the times of day participants exercised and cardiometabolic risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

“There is growing recognition that biology is not static across the day,” Rao said. “Many important metabolic and cardiovascular processes follow circadian rhythms. Despite this, exercise recommendations have largely ignored timing. We wanted to test whether timing represents an independent and clinically relevant dimension of exercise behaviour in real-world populations.”

Researchers also evaluated participants’ rates of cardiovascular issues, such as coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation.

Could the time of day people exercise affect their risk of obesity or diabetes? Design by MNT; Photography by lzf/Getty Images

Morning exercise lowers coronary artery disease risk by 31%

At the study’s conclusion, Rao and his team found that participants who exercised in the morning, when compared to those who exercised in the evening, were:

• 35% less likely to have obesity
• 31% lower chance of developing coronary artery disease
• 30% lower risk for type 2 diabetes
• 21% less likely to have hyperlipidemia
• 18% lower chance of developing high blood pressure

This shows that when people exercise may be just as important as how much they exercise. The study also found that exercise performed between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. was specifically associated with the lowest odds of coronary artery disease.

“Importantly, these associations were independent of total physical activity, indicating that timing is not simply a proxy for ‘more exercise,’ but may reflect an additional behavioural or biological signal,” Rao said.

“Exercise timing may represent a previously underappreciated dimension of exercise and cardiometabolic health. While any exercise is beneficial, morning exercise may confer additional advantages.”
— Prashant Rao, MBBS, MRCP(UK), FACC

“The next step is to move from association to causation,” Rao added. “I think these findings should motivate a large randomized trial of exercise timing. Ultimately, the goal is to determine whether we can optimize exercise prescriptions not just by dose, but by timing.”

Exercise is one of the most powerful medications for heart health

MNT spoke with Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, about this study.

“This study found that exercising in the morning was associated with lower levels of cardiometabolic risk factors such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity,” Chen commented. “This is an interesting finding that should stimulate more research into specific timing of exercise for the greatest health benefit.”

“Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of deathTrusted Source in the United States,” he continued. “We need to continue to work on lowering cardiometabolic risk factors in order to decrease the burden of this disease on our society. Future research can include randomized controlled trials that better ascertain the role of exercise timing on health outcomes.”

MNT also spoke with Brett A. Sealove, MD, FACC, FAHA, RPVI, CPE, chair of cardiology at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and associate professor and vice chair of cardiology at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine in New Jersey, who said he sees the consequences of cardiometabolic disease every day: heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, and amputations.

“We’ve known for decades that exercise is one of the most powerful medicines,” Sealove explained. “It should not be overstated that exercise is one of our biggest problems in the U.S., as it is one of the best solutions for cardiac health and longevity, anytime, anywhere.”

“However, this study takes that knowledge a step further by helping those who want to optimize their risk reduction, especially if the timing of exercise matters,” he added.

Why might morning exercisers have lower cardiometabolic risk?

MNT also asked Sealove why exercising in the morning could help lower cardiometabolic risk more effectively than exercising in the evening.

“First, consider the role of circadian rhythms,” Sealove said. “Our bodies are controlled by internal biological clocks that regulate nearly every metabolic process, including cortisol secretion, insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake, and fat oxidation.”

“In the early morning, cortisol levels naturally increase, preparing the body for activity. Insulin sensitivity, especially in skeletal muscle, also tends to be higher in the morning. Aligning exercise with these circadian signals may improve metabolic responses in ways that evening workouts cannot,” he explained.

“Second, morning exercise, often performed in a fasted or semi-fasted state, may promote greater fat oxidation,” he continued. “When the body’s carbohydrate stores are lower after an overnight fast, it more readily breaks down fat for fuel during exercise. This increase in fat utilization could, over time, lead to better lipid profiles and reduced visceral fat, lowering cardiometabolic risk.”

“Third, there is a practical behavioural aspect. Morning exercisers tend to be more consistent because there are fewer competing demands early in the day. Consistency is crucial in exercise medicine. Along with adherence over months and years, it contributes to the long-term reduction in disease risk observed in this study.”
— Brett A. Sealove, MD, FACC, FAHA, RPVI, CPE

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7-am-morning-exercise-sweet-spot-lowering-cardiometabolic-risk#How-exercise-time-of-day-impacts-cardiometabolic-health